Finance committee  The selection process was run by the Library of Parliament. We were not directly involved. We were aware of how it was progressing through informal discussions with the people involved. We were told there was a difficulty in terms of concern about the salary level. We were aware of that concern.

Finance committee  We have asked ourselves that question more than once, and have discussed it at length. We have rethought the approach, but at the end of the day, the relative level with other senior parliamentary positions cannot be discounted. The easy answer would be to raise the position by one or two grades even if that costs more, because the cost would not be huge.

Finance committee  No, that's not the norm. That's longer than it normally takes. This case is particularly challenging because of two main issues. On the one hand there was a desire to have this position classified at the most senior level possible. It's an important position and function and you would want it to be as senior as possible.

Finance committee  Appointments made by the governor in council must be based on legislation. The position in question must have been established by enabling legislation, and this gives the governor in council authority. That is an authority Parliament delegates to the governor in council. Thus, in the absence of a specific legislative provision, such appointments cannot be made.

Finance committee  Those options are provided for in the enabling legislation. With an organization like the Business Development Bank of Canada, the legislation provides for the possibility of extending terms and appointing people on an acting basis, for example. This requires a legislative provision that we did not have in this case.

Finance committee  Well, we're trying to complete them as soon as we can.

Finance committee  Thank you. As the parliamentary librarian said earlier, the appointment suggested by the selection committee that directed the process has been submitted to government. The government knows the name of the person in question, and is holding discussions with that person in an effort to settle everything so that the appointment can proceed quickly.

Finance committee  The recommendation has been made by the selection committee to the government, and the government is proceeding with that appointment. As I said, there have been discussions with the candidate on issues of remuneration and classification of the position. Those discussions are not yet completed, but we're hopeful—

Finance committee  The legislation sets out that the appointment of the parliamentary budget officer is made by the Governor in Council, so by cabinet, by the Commissioner of the Great Seal. So that's a position that's done at the pleasure of the government.

Finance committee  No, because there are many positions within Parliament. Parliamentary officers are appointed by the Governor in Council, starting with the Clerk of the Senate, the Clerk of the House of Commons, the Usher of the Black Rod, the deputy clerk, the Sergeant-at-Arms, the clerk assistant, the law clerk, parliamentary counsel, and the parliamentary librarian, as well as the associate parliamentary librarian.

Finance committee  Those are all appointed by the Governor in Council, yes.

Finance committee  We'd like to get this done in the next couple of weeks, before the end of the month.

Government Operations committee  First, I'd like to point out that the appointments are made by the Governor in Council, not by the Prime Minister.

Government Operations committee  No. The appointments are made by the Governor in Council, that is to say the Governor General acting on the Cabinet's recommendation.

Government Operations committee  That's correct. The Cabinet ratifies the ministers' recommendations.